Terroir at Beaucastel

Beaucastel's terroir is marked by the Rhone violence. It is made with a layer of marine molasses (sandstone) from the Miocene period, covered by alpine alluvium. The presence of a great number of rounded stones, known as « galets », bear evidence of the time when the Rhone, a torrent at this time, tore fragments of rocks from the Alps and deposited them along its course.

The meso-climate plays an important role with a low rainfall, beautiful sunshine and spectacular temperature differences.
Here, the « galets » make an essential contribution to the quality of the vintage: they retain the heat of the day and radiate it to the vines during the night. The Mistral wind that blows through the very old vines, with gnarled roots, dries and clean the vines planted in the traditional style called "gobelet".

Château de Beaucastel covers 130 hectares but only 100 hectares are planted with ¾ in Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée Châteauneuf-du-Pape (CHATEAU DE BEAUCASTEL) and ¼ in Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée Côtes-du-Rhône (COUDOULET DE BEAUCASTEL). The remaining 30 hectares are farmed with rotated crops to prepare new vineyard plantings: every year, one or two hectares are ploughed up and the equivalent area is replanted on land unplanted during at least 10 years.

The 100 hectares situated around the Château, the historic land of Beaucastel, have the memory of the 13 grapes varieties of Châteauneuf-du-Pape appelation: MOURVEDRE, GRENACHE, SYRAH, CINSAULT, VACCARESE, COUNOISE, TERRET NOIR, MUSCARDIN, CLAIRETTE, PICPOUL, PICARDAN, BOURBOULENC and ROUSSANNE.

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Beaucastel's terroir is marked by the Rhone violence. It is made with a layer of marine molasses (sandstone) from the Miocene period, covered by alpine alluvium. The presence of a great number of rounded stones, known as « galets », bear evidence of the time when the Rhone, a torrent at this time, tore fragments of rocks from the Alps and deposited them along its course.

The meso-climate plays an important role with a low rainfall, beautiful sunshine and spectacular temperature differences.
Here, the « galets » make an essential contribution to the quality of the vintage: they retain the heat of the day and radiate it to the vines during the night. The Mistral wind that blows through the very old vines, with gnarled roots, dries and clean the vines planted in the traditional style called "gobelet".

Château de Beaucastel covers 130 hectares but only 100 hectares are planted with ¾ in Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée Châteauneuf-du-Pape (CHATEAU DE BEAUCASTEL) and ¼ in Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée Côtes-du-Rhône (COUDOULET DE BEAUCASTEL). The remaining 30 hectares are farmed with rotated crops to prepare new vineyard plantings: every year, one or two hectares are ploughed up and the equivalent area is replanted on land unplanted during at least 10 years.

The 100 hectares situated around the Château, the historic land of Beaucastel, have the memory of the 13 grapes varieties of Châteauneuf-du-Pape appelation: MOURVEDRE, GRENACHE, SYRAH, CINSAULT, VACCARESE, COUNOISE, TERRET NOIR, MUSCARDIN, CLAIRETTE, PICPOUL, PICARDAN, BOURBOULENC and ROUSSANNE.

History of Beaucastel

In 1321, under the reign of Pope Jean XXII, four barrels were brought from the papal cellar to be filled with wine in Châteauneuf. Then, the Popes planted new vines and the legend of the papal wine began.

We can find the first evidence of Château de Beaucastel as it exists today in the sixteenth century. In 1549, Pierre de Beaucastel bought a « barn with a plot of land extending to 52 saumées at Coudoulet ». The manor house will be built then with the arms of Beaucastel sculpted on a stone wall of the drawing room.

In 1687, Pierre de Beaucastel was appointed « Capitaine de la ville de Courthezon » by Louis XIV, in recognition of his conversion to Catholicism. Louis XIV's letter, also signed by Colbert, is still visible at the Château.

In 1909, Pierre Tramier leads the wine estate and then transfers it to his son-in-law Pierre Perrin, a scientist that developed Beaucastel. Then Jacques Perrin continued his father efforts until 1978 and gave its noble letters to this wine.

Today, the torch is being carried by Jean-Pierre and François, Jacques Perrin's sons that continue the beautiful story of Château de Beaucastel. Marc, Pierre, Thomas, Cécile, Charles, Matthieu and César, the 5th generation, work today all together with them. Beaucastel is, first of all, a family story, the story of Famille Perrin. Their main strength is being able to blend the talents of each family member to run the wine estate under common values: absolute respect for land and terroir, biodynamic culture as a philosophy of life, the research of truth, balance and elegance.

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In 1321, under the reign of Pope Jean XXII, four barrels were brought from the papal cellar to be filled with wine in Châteauneuf. Then, the Popes planted new vines and the legend of the papal wine began.

We can find the first evidence of Château de Beaucastel as it exists today in the sixteenth century. In 1549, Pierre de Beaucastel bought a « barn with a plot of land extending to 52 saumées at Coudoulet ». The manor house will be built then with the arms of Beaucastel sculpted on a stone wall of the drawing room.

In 1687, Pierre de Beaucastel was appointed « Capitaine de la ville de Courthezon » by Louis XIV, in recognition of his conversion to Catholicism. Louis XIV's letter, also signed by Colbert, is still visible at the Château.

In 1909, Pierre Tramier leads the wine estate and then transfers it to his son-in-law Pierre Perrin, a scientist that developed Beaucastel. Then Jacques Perrin continued his father efforts until 1978 and gave its noble letters to this wine.

Today, the torch is being carried by Jean-Pierre and François, Jacques Perrin's sons that continue the beautiful story of Château de Beaucastel. Marc, Pierre, Thomas, Cécile, Charles, Matthieu and César, the 5th generation, work today all together with them. Beaucastel is, first of all, a family story, the story of Famille Perrin. Their main strength is being able to blend the talents of each family member to run the wine estate under common values: absolute respect for land and terroir, biodynamic culture as a philosophy of life, the research of truth, balance and elegance.

Philosophy at Beaucastel

Respecting the Terroir both means also enhancing the soil characteristics, the environment, but also highlighting the history of the place.Examining its uniqueness and authenticity in order to keep it healthy and alive, while revealing all of the treasures of Château de Beaucastel.

Pioneers in their innovative approach to organic farming in 1950 and then biodynamicfarming in 1974, Famille Perrin has the deep conviction that the grapes must have flavors to make an expressive wine. A wine that reveals the quintessence of its aromas and the grandeur of its origins.

At Château de Beaucastel, we place the vine in its universe, that is to say, the land, the animals and the stars which impact it. Bees, birds, cicadas and ladybugs live there peacefully in this unique vineyard. Every day, on each plot, the work helps to stimulate the physiology of the plant and its natural resistance, inside a unique ecosystem, preserved with passion.

At Beaucastel, the wines are not dominated by the powerful Grenache. It's all about harnessing Grenache and sublimating it. The blending is privileged with a unique know-how, passed down from generation to generation. Taking the best from each plot, letting each grape variety express their very nature in order to make the best blend.

Oak aging is not dominant here, the authenticity of the grape varieties and terroir take the major roles. By continuing the tradition of the blending of the 13 historical varieties of Châteauneuf du Pape, Château de Beaucastel has an unmatched style, every year. It makes a wine with that unique and exceptional mix of power, structure, elegance and freshness.

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Respecting the Terroir both means also enhancing the soil characteristics, the environment, but also highlighting the history of the place.Examining its uniqueness and authenticity in order to keep it healthy and alive, while revealing all of the treasures of Château de Beaucastel.

Pioneers in their innovative approach to organic farming in 1950 and then biodynamicfarming in 1974, Famille Perrin has the deep conviction that the grapes must have flavors to make an expressive wine. A wine that reveals the quintessence of its aromas and the grandeur of its origins.

At Château de Beaucastel, we place the vine in its universe, that is to say, the land, the animals and the stars which impact it. Bees, birds, cicadas and ladybugs live there peacefully in this unique vineyard. Every day, on each plot, the work helps to stimulate the physiology of the plant and its natural resistance, inside a unique ecosystem, preserved with passion.

At Beaucastel, the wines are not dominated by the powerful Grenache. It's all about harnessing Grenache and sublimating it. The blending is privileged with a unique know-how, passed down from generation to generation. Taking the best from each plot, letting each grape variety express their very nature in order to make the best blend.

Oak aging is not dominant here, the authenticity of the grape varieties and terroir take the major roles. By continuing the tradition of the blending of the 13 historical varieties of Châteauneuf du Pape, Château de Beaucastel has an unmatched style, every year. It makes a wine with that unique and exceptional mix of power, structure, elegance and freshness.

Vinification at Beaucastel

Exclusively hand-picked, the grapes are carefully sorted when they arrived at the cellar. Only the best grapes will be kept and vinified. After total de-stemming, the harvest is vinified in traditional temperature-controlled vats for 15 days, before aging in oak barrels.

In order to reveal their character, aromas and originality, the 13 grape varieties of Château de Beaucastel vineyards are vinified separately:
- Grenache and Cinsault provide warmth, colour and roundness,
- Mourvedre, Syrah, Muscardin and Vaccarese provide structure, aging abilities, colour and a very straight taste,
- Counoise and Picpoul provide body, freshness and very particular aromas.

The art of blending, passed down from generation to generation in Famille Perrin, impart character to the Beaucastel wines.
After the blending is done, the wine is stocked in oak barrels where it will age for one year. Only racking operations will disturb this rest. The wine matures slowly in Beaucastel's cellar until the moment is right to bottling. The bottles will then be kept at the chateau for another year.

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Exclusively hand-picked, the grapes are carefully sorted when they arrived at the cellar. Only the best grapes will be kept and vinified. After total de-stemming, the harvest is vinified in traditional temperature-controlled vats for 15 days, before aging in oak barrels.

In order to reveal their character, aromas and originality, the 13 grape varieties of Château de Beaucastel vineyards are vinified separately:
- Grenache and Cinsault provide warmth, colour and roundness,
- Mourvedre, Syrah, Muscardin and Vaccarese provide structure, aging abilities, colour and a very straight taste,
- Counoise and Picpoul provide body, freshness and very particular aromas.

The art of blending, passed down from generation to generation in Famille Perrin, impart character to the Beaucastel wines.
After the blending is done, the wine is stocked in oak barrels where it will age for one year. Only racking operations will disturb this rest. The wine matures slowly in Beaucastel's cellar until the moment is right to bottling. The bottles will then be kept at the chateau for another year.

Vintages by Beaucastel

For five generations, Famille Perrin vinifies vintages of Château de Beaucastel. In 2009, we decided to draft, for each new vintage, a detailed and informative report.